Don’t be a pr1ck

Online comments and the challenge of community engagement

Wisdom of the crowd?

• Or the madness of the mob?

Wisdom of the crowd?

• Or the madness of the mob?

• Idealistic hopes for news-site comments gave way to reality

Wisdom of the crowd?

• Or the madness of the mob?

• Idealistic hopes for news-site comments gave way to reality

• How can we involve our readers in ways that are positive and useful?

Talking back to the Globe

• The David Brudnoy rule

Talking back to the Globe

• The David Brudnoy rule• Globe policy: Watch for

“pr1ck” and libelous statements like “Carl Crawford is dealing drugs in the dugout.”

Talking back to the Globe

• The David Brudnoy rule• Globe policy: Watch for

“pr1ck” and libelous statements like “Carl Crawford is dealing drugs in the dugout.”

• Comments turned off for personal tragedy, religion stories, etc.

The Winnipeg solution

• Moderating comments is a soul-sucking experience, dreaded by Globe staff members

The Winnipeg solution

• Moderating comments is a soul-sucking experience, dreaded by Globe staff members

• In April 2011, the Globe contracted with ICUC of Winnipeg to stay on top of comments

The Winnipeg solution

• Moderating comments is a soul-sucking experience, dreaded by Globe staff members

• In April 2011, the Globe contracted with ICUC of Winnipeg to stay on top of comments

• Better than nothing — but is outsourcing moderation any way to engage with your community?

The price of free speech

• The Register puts comments up automatically and depends on the crowd to report offensive ones

The price of free speech

• The Register puts comments up automatically and depends on the crowd to report offensive ones

• “these shootings save the taxpayers millions … not only in welfare costs but in section 8, food stamps, health care. it is time to consider sterilization …”

The price of free speech

• The Register puts comments up automatically and depends on the crowd to report offensive ones

• “these shootings save the taxpayers millions … not only in welfare costs but in section 8, food stamps, health care. it is time to consider sterilization …”

• In late 2011, under new leadership, the Register announced it would begin screening all comments

A better approach

• All comments are screened before posting: “Yes we do censor reader comments. We’ll continue to.”

A better approach

• All comments are screened before posting: “Yes we do censor reader comments. We’ll continue to.”

• Anonymity is allowed, but racist, sexist and personally insulting comments are not posted

A better approach

• All comments are screened before posting: “Yes we do censor reader comments. We’ll continue to.”

• Anonymity is allowed, but racist, sexist and personally insulting comments are not posted

• A civil conversation that often adds to the story and that fosters civic engagement — a virtuous circle

Anonymity versus real names

• Howard Owens requires registration and real names at his community news site in western New York

Anonymity versus real names

• Howard Owens requires registration and real names at his community news site in western New York

• “It starts with basic news ethics: Readers have a right to know who is saying what.”

Anonymity versus real names

• Howard Owens requires registration and real names at his community news site in western New York

• “It starts with basic news ethics: Readers have a right to know who is saying what.”

• What do you think is gained from a real-names policy? What is lost? Which is preferable?

Comments are so 2005

• Facebook fosters civil dialogue in a familiar, real-names space

Comments are so 2005

• Facebook fosters civil dialogue in a familiar, real-names space

• Twitter allows reporters to promote work and engage with users

Comments are so 2005

• Facebook fosters civil dialogue in a familiar, real-names space

• Twitter allows reporters to promote work and engage with users

• Have traditional news-site comments outlived their usefulness?